6 Places to See the London Skyline – For Free!

I won’t be the only person to tell you that riding the London Eye is overrated. Regardless, three million people ride the London Eye every year – three million! They can’t all be wrong… But do you really want to be like three million other people? No – you’re unique, you want to do things differently and you don’t want to spend 25 quid on a glorified Ferris wheel.

Surely, no true Londoner would do that.

Living in north London has taught me that there are way better places to see the London cityscape. You don’t need to go too high, you get a number of different vantage points and it’s a lot more active than standing around for a 30-minute rotation.

Here are my (not-so-secret) secret views of London (which I updated in August 2015!):

Alexandra Palace

Ally Pally has become a staple in my London experience over the last few months. I’ve been here for Bonfire Night fireworks, working at the Vans Warped Tour (totally 16 again), the weekly Farmer’s market in Alexandra Park, and buying a Christmas tree. With an ice skating rink, pub, and playground, Ally Pally is a true community hub for the north Londoner.

Besides the Pitch ‘N’ Putt across the way, there are also some great views into the City of London from here. You can also see what’s called the Harringay Ladder – so named because the streets form a ladder shape from above – which is just west of Green Lanes.

The Harringay Ladder

The Palace is a listed building, which means it’s on a list of buildings of special historical or architectural interest. There are different levels of listed status – some can never be destroyed or have interior changes made.

Parliament Hill, Hampstead Heath

Parliament Hill is another place that I’ve visited often in north London. There is a Saturday morning farmer’s market and the newly refurbished Kenwood House. This Georgian home has just re-opened after a million-pound renovation. Inside are Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings, restored architecture with seriously elaborate embellishments, letters and a slavery and justice exhibition.

A short walk away are statues by Henry Moore, a pond, a playground, the rest of Hampstead Heath… The place is huge. There is even an extension into Golders Hill, which has animal enclosures and flower parks, and is like, a ten minute drive away.

Primrose Hill, Camden

I really like this park, though Tom finds it a little bit “too American”. I don’t know what it is, but some Londoners (okay, maybe it’s just Tom) seem to have an aversion to extensively landscape parks. Apparently, it seems unnatural, so he prefers places like Highgate Wood with paths trodden by people rather than tractors.

I see his point, but the North American in me likes to see man’s triumph over nature – manicured lawns and perfectly placed trees. Not to sound anti-environment or anything. I love the environment. I recycle!

This hill is within walking distance of Regent’s Park, so it’s much closer to the city centre. A friend told me she thinks this is where you get the best view of London. The BT tower seems really close up, and you can see the Shard, though some monuments you can see from Parliament Hill – like the Gherkin – are obscured by buildings.

Primrose Hill is a really posh area, so while you’re looking at the skyline, keep an eye out on the joggers – you never know when a celeb might race by!

Greenwich Park, South-East London

This is the only green space with a view of London I’ve found that isn’t in north London. In fact, this view from the Royal Observatory is protected by city legislation – planners are not allowed to build anything that would further obstruct monuments that can be seen from this angle.

I think this one is awesome! The panorama is such that you can see from the BT Tower to St Paul’s Cathedral to the Gherkin to a close-up view of Greenwich Palace to Canary Wharf and the O2 Stadium. Rose gardens and ancient chestnut trees are easy to explore on the pedestrian pathways.

Frank’s Café, Southwark

Frank’s Café and Campari Bar in Peckham was voted one of London’s best rooftop bars by Condé Nast Traveller. Frank’s is essentially a ‘pop-up’ (what is this London obssession with the pop-up?!) on top of a ten-storey parking garage/car park that is a community project – build by local architects, sponsored by Campari and attended by Londoners.

From the roof you can see almost 360-degrees of London, from the London Eye and beyond. You can also drink any cocktail that has Campari in it, look at art, and hang out with bearded ‘artsy’ hipster types.

I was recommended this view by one of Tom’s brothers. He also informed me that they have really cool weekly concerts with good performers. I think it’s an awesome view since you can really make out all the new buildings with hilarious buildings named after appliances and household wares like the Cheese Grater and the Walkie-Talkie…

Before you go running to check it out because of this amazing description, just know that it’s only open during the summertime.

One New Change, St Paul’s

I only discovered this place in the last year on a scavenger hunt, but from here you get a fabulous view of the city – St. Paul’s Cathedral is so close it feels like you could reach out and touch it.

You take an elevator up to the top of the One New Change building (it’s a shopping centre). There are lines sometimes, especially if you go when the after work crowd is filing in for cocktails. Up there, you’ll find a nice a lovely view over the Thames and a trendy bar and restaurant called Madison.

Grab a cocktail and sip while the sunsets over the city.

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32 thoughts on “6 Places to See the London Skyline – For Free!”

You’re back! The London Eye was the biggest waste of time & money ever. My parents took my brother & I on it when we were teens. There’s a chance I might be in London again this summer so I’ll keep these points handy!

Hi Alyssa,
You brought back some lovely memories with this post. I used to live in Kentish Town and went for the occasional run but mainly lots of walks in Parliament Hill and the odd time over to Primrose Hill also. Keep writing about the lovely London for those of us who miss it! Really enjoying your London adventures…
Pamela

I love your photos for this post. London is such a hard place to see when you are in the middle of it, but you have managed to go not so far off the beaten path and capture the city perfectly. Thanks for sharing.

Nice post. Greenwich is lovely I’m a big fan of that area particularly.
London Eye isn’t ideal but it does give you a birds eye view of key places like Big Ben. Great for tourists. I think it’s a bit pricey though so I always recommend people hunt online for vouchers, 2 for 1 deals etc.

Hi Alyssa.
On a recent visit to St Paul’s, one of the guides told me because I couldn’t do the stairs (too old 71) that there was a shopping centre close by where you could take a lift to the roof garden, get wonderful views free and there was a cafeteria up there
Any ideas which shop she meant , she couldn’t remember the name, I’m going again in a few weeks.
Regards
Keith

Yes, I know the place! It’s called One New Change (1 New Change, EC4M 9AD). There are often lines to get on the elevator, but there’s a nice bar and restaurant called Madison. Truly beautiful view – it’s like you can reach out and touch St Paul’s Cathedral! I will add this to the list…

155 metres up, the Sky Garden on Fenchurch Street offers views across London and far beyond. You can wander around the beautifully landscaped gardens, observation decks and an open-air terrace of what is London’s highest public garden.

The best bit is that it’s free to get in, but you do need to book in advance.

Hi Alyssa.
I wrote to you a couple of years ago about One New Change. I’ve been several times now , love it.
This garden in Fenchurch Street, it says book a free entry but is it the sort of place a lone traveller can go, take some photos of the view ,get a beer and maybe a snack. I’m always a bit dubious first time so it’s nice to get the heads up.

Hi Alyssa.
Thanks for that, I agree it’s better with friends unfortunately I’m at an age where my wife and friends are mainly gone,
However my daughters and granddaughters are pleased that as I’m still fit and able I go to these places on days out as opposed to just sitting at home. To be honest my eyes are my friends now and I see beauty in places which may have passed me by years ago. Love London for a day out seeing historical buildings , but I also like to pop into a pub for a pint !! I’ve sat in Madison’s several times with a beer just looking at the most iconic building in the country, perfectly happy, occasionally chatting to the odd stranger. Hey ho onwards and upwards .
Regards
Keith

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Who am I?

I’m Alyssa — Anthropologist and Freelance Writer based in London and Barcelona! I write about Travel and Social Justice. Staff writer for TravelMag.com. Words in MSN, Bustle, the Globe and Mail, Porthole Cruise Magazine, Matador Network, and more.